Can you refreeze melted ice cream? - Think twice!

It can be so easy to forget about that tub of ice cream you took out for the backyard barbecue, only to find it later when it’s a melted mess. It seems like a waste to throw away the whole tub, so you can try putting it back in the freezer.

Can melted ice cream be refrozen?

Although you can technically refreeze melted ice cream, you really shouldn’t. Ice cream is one of the few foods that you should not refreeze. Being made from dairy and sometimes egg products, the risk of contracting listeria and other bacteria is too high.

Not only is this a food safety issue, but the ice cream will not have the same flavor and texture once thawed and refrozen.

It’s best to just keep an eye on the ice cream you’re serving to make sure it doesn’t melt or just toss the ice cream that has melted. However, there are some exceptions, so read on to find out how, and if, you can refreeze ice cream.

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Refreeze Melted Ice Cream

It really isn’t worth trying to refreeze ice cream that has already completely melted. There are too many risks, and the taste and quality of the ice cream will be much worse.

Here are the top three reasons why you should never refreeze melted ice cream again:

1. It is unsafe

Ice cream is a dairy product, and can sometimes include egg. If left out at room temperature or in a warm environment for an extended period of time, there is a high chance that harmful bacteria will start to grow.

As the ice cream is initially frozen, this process can take time to occur, but it will definitely happen if the ice cream is left out in the sun for a good handful of hours, or left out at room temperature for too long.

One of the main concerns is listeria, which can lead to severe food poisoning.

2. The texture changes

When ice cream first freezes, it forms ice crystals that are uniform and very small. Once ice cream is refrozen after melting, larger ice crystals form, resulting in a very grainy texture that is quite unpleasant to eat.

The ice cream will look more like very finely crushed ice, rather than a rich, creamy ice cream.

3. Air loss

Air is drawn into the ice cream when it is made, through the churning process. This gives the ice cream a light and creamy texture.

As the ice cream melts, the air that has been churned into it is lost, so refreezing the ice cream turns it into a dense block, and it will have to be churned again to recover the air.

Can I refreeze partially thawed ice cream?

If the ice cream has been left out, but in a cool environment, and has not completely melted, it can be refrozen. It is important to make sure that there are still ice crystals in the ice cream, or that it is still partially frozen.

This ensures that the texture doesn’t change too much when refrozen and that too much air hasn’t been lost. You may notice a small change in the texture and lightness of the ice cream, but it won’t be as much as if the ice cream has completely melted and then refrozen.

There’s also less chance of bacteria growing if the ice cream has been kept cold, as bacteria, and especially the worrisome listeria, only grow rapidly at room temperature or warmer.

You’ll have to use your own judgment to know if the ice cream has thawed too much to be refrozen, but it’s always best to be very cautious.

In case of doubt, it is better to throw it away and buy a new tub. It’s not worth getting sick and eating ice cream that doesn’t taste good.

Can I refreeze ice cream that has been sitting out overnight?

You shouldn’t let ice cream sit out of the freezer or fridge overnight, no matter how cold the weather is.

Bacteria can grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and ice cream should not be left out at these temperatures for more than 2 hours.

When you serve the ice cream, only leave it out for less than 2 hours, returning it to the freezer if it hasn’t fully thawed. This is also valid for homemade ice cream .

You can refreeze ice cream that has been left in the fridge overnight, but once again you’ll need to check how much has thawed come morning.

Ice cream melts quite quickly at room temperature and you don’t need to leave it out overnight for it to melt completely. The mixture of milk, sugar and other liquids in ice cream is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria at higher temperatures.

This is further aggravated if you have scooped the ice cream out of the tub with a spoon that isn’t completely clean. You are introducing bacteria into the ice cream that will continue to multiply.

Can you eat melted and refrozen ice cream?

You can eat melted and refrozen ice cream, but you really shouldn’t. It’s not worth the risk of potential listeria or food poisoning you might get, and it’s best to avoid it altogether.

Not only do you risk food poisoning, but the texture, flavor, and quality of the ice cream is also not worth the risk, and will be quite disappointing. Instead, take a scoop of well-frozen ice cream and pop it right back into the freezer.

This way you don’t risk the ice cream melting and having to refreeze it, and you make sure that your ice cream will have the best quality when you make it again.

How do you know if the ice cream has melted and refrozen?

If you’re not sure if the ice cream has melted and refrozen, you can look at the texture of the ice cream. If it’s quite grainy, with lots of ice crystals, and if the ice cream is dense and not aerated, you can be sure it’s refrozen.

Ice cream that has been stored too long will also have ice crystals on the surface, and the ice cream will lose its creamy texture.

So, whether the ice cream is dense and grainy from being old, or from being melted and refrozen, you shouldn’t eat it either way.

How do you know if the ice cream has gone bad?

It can be hard to tell if frozen food has gone bad, but there are a few ways to tell if ice cream has gone bad.

Ice cream that has been in the freezer too long will develop ice crystals on the surface and have a very grainy texture. It will also lose its rich, creamy consistency.

You can also smell the ice cream: if it has an unpleasant smell or a strange taste, you should throw it away immediately.

It’s easier to detect off-flavors and odors when the ice cream is slightly thawed, so if you’re not sure, leave it out to soften before smelling or tasting it.

Related questions

How long does unopened ice cream last in the freezer?

If left in the original, unopened container, the ice cream can last up to 12 months. It should be kept at a constant 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

The shelf life of the ice cream depends on the storage conditions, so the better it keeps, the longer it will last.

Can I eat ice cream after the expiration date?

Yes, ice cream can normally be eaten after its expiration date if there are no signs of spoilage. The ice cream container must have a best-before date, best-before date, or best-before date, but these do not usually indicate a safety date.

These dates are an estimate of when the quality of the ice cream will be at its best, and that the quality will start to decline after this time. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the ice cream will go bad after that time.

How long can ice cream stay out of the freezer?

The ice cream should not remain out of the freezer for more than two hours. If it has been left out for a longer time, it must be thrown away.

Refreeze ice cream

You should not attempt to refreeze ice cream if it has completely thawed or melted.

There is a high risk of bacterial growth and foodborne illness such as listeria. Also, the ice cream will become grainy and lose its creamy texture.

It’s okay to refreeze ice cream if it’s only partially thawed, but use your judgment to judge if you think the ice cream will be okay to refreeze.